It seemed that I wasn’t the only one drawn to this place, and this bridge definitely hadn’t been there when we had come here with Papa.  But it seemed that everyone was sure in a hurry to see what was on the other side, so I decided to follow the others across the bridge - comforted by the thought that there were others my age crossing the bridge.  Soon I’d be able to fly on my own, but I certainly wasn’t willing to test my wings over such a long distance and over the sea. 

And I knew I’d never seen this many horses in one place before! There were certainly a lot at the gathering where the mother fish had asked us questions and given me Everly’s egg...but nothing like this. What could possibly bring a crowd like this across the sea?  I recognized a few faces from the Basin and a few from the Edge, but there really weren’t many familiar among the crowd.  My heart thundered in my chest for a moment at the prospect that maybe Mama was here since so many had come, but after a few minutes of searching, it was evident that she was not amongst those that had gathered.  Everly confirmed from above with a single, sad squawk but did direct me off to the side of the gathering.  My heart leapt at what I saw. 

Virga.

Virga stood alone. Seeing him standing by himself sent a flicker of pain through me because Virga should never be alone. But there he stood.  So I made my way to his side quickly, quietly with little fanfare which is unlike me but this whole gathering was enough of a scene that I probably didn’t need to make one of my own.  I drew to a halt next to my brother and stood for a quiet moment before speaking.  “What do you think it is?” I asked him, quietly, trying to see through the sea of those who had already gathered to no avail.  I tried to peer through the mass of legs, snorting when it didn’t work.  Perhaps more dramatically I stood on my hind legs - using my wings to steady myself as I tried to see over the top of those who had come.  That too, failed, and I tucked my wings away at my sides after creating quite a interesting picture, I’m sure.  “Ev, can you go look?” I finally asked, and the little zephyr chirped twice before turning and making her way towards the front of the crowd.  

I looked back to Virga and offered him a sheepish smile before looking to see if I recognized anyone else that had come.  It was then that I heard someone shout Virga’s name and peered over Virga’s back to see Iskra, the colt from the beach standing with another colt who I hadn’t met.  “Virga, do you want to go stand with them?” I asked, taking a few steps towards Iskra and the other boy. 

“If not, I’ll stay here with you,” I said, simply, content to let Virga be the one to make the final decision.